I'd like to ask a further question if I may KSigMason. Even though it may not be directly relevant to the thread, I simply couldn't resist it.

Many have claimed that the Freemasons and their kin, such as the Rosicrucians, practice the mystic arts such as the ancient Hebraic Qabalah.

Esoteric orders such as the Golden Dawn apparently actively recruited from among the ranks of the Freemasons and many leading members of the occult were also practicing Freemasons.

Is there any truth to this rumour or is it purely a misinterpretation of the facts?

You may, ask away, I'll answer you what I can. Many of the philosophical, mystical studies, occur within the Scottish Rite (which I have not taken, but studied on only). Within the York Rite, all practices are predominately Christian oriented and are based on Biblical verse. Some of the appendant bodies in the York Rite however practice various arts (ie Grand College of Rites, Allied Masonic Degree, etc).

The Golden Dawn is not connected to Freemasonry. If anything its connected to the irregular, clandestine Freemasons which is not recognized by the Blue Lodges or appendant bodies.

You may, ask away, I'll answer you what I can. Many of the philosophical, mystical studies, occur within the Scottish Rite (which I have not taken, but studied on only). Within the York Rite, all practices are predominately Christian oriented and are based on Biblical verse. Some of the appendant bodies in the York Rite however practice various arts (ie Grand College of Rites, Allied Masonic Degree, etc).

The Golden Dawn is not connected to Freemasonry. If anything its connected to the irregular, clandestine Freemasons which is not recognized by the Blue Lodges or appendant bodies.

But are any of these rites practised in order to produce a mind altering effect?

And are any of these rites and rituals carried out in order to produce a magical effect?

You may, ask away, I'll answer you what I can. Many of the philosophical, mystical studies, occur within the Scottish Rite (which I have not taken, but studied on only). Within the York Rite, all practices are predominately Christian oriented and are based on Biblical verse. Some of the appendant bodies in the York Rite however practice various arts (ie Grand College of Rites, Allied Masonic Degree, etc).

The Golden Dawn is not connected to Freemasonry. If anything its connected to the irregular, clandestine Freemasons which is not recognized by the Blue Lodges or appendant bodies.

It appears you somewhat avoided the question whether the Freemasons study the Qabalah or not.

There is plenty of literature out there on the Qabalah which connect the Freemasons and the Rosicrucians with the study of this mystical system.

Presumably you do and this is a secret if you are unable to answer in the negative.